Abstract

This presentation will highlight OPAL-RT’s latest FPGA-based electrical hardware solver for
real-time simulation of high-frequency grid and drive converters, for smart grid and electric motor drive
applications. As the development of FPGA-based systems is typically for advanced users, OPAL-RT’s
solution is oriented towards non-flashing technology using a generic and optimized approach to solve
power electronics circuit for these applications. As motor controller’s algorithms become more complex,
so do tests and development of new control strategies. This presentation will also highlight the latest
developments of OPAL-RT efforts to work efficiently with these new challenges and to improve time to
market of grid converters and electric motor drive systems. OPAL-RT turnkey system for ECU testing
and rapid motor prototyping is in line with this philosophy as the user interface allows easy modification
of motor or drive topology without requiring knowledge in FPGA or reprogramming the FPGA. The
objective of this approach is to enable hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing with submicrosecond time
steps.

Speaker Biographies

Sébastien Cense – eFPGASIM Team Leader
Sebastien Cense received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in micro electronics from the ISEN Engineering
School in Lille, France in 2010. His final paper on FPGA embedded command of polyphase motor using
space vector algorithm was conducted at the Arts et Metiers Paris Tech in collaboration with OPAL-RT.
He joined OPAL-RT in October 2010 where he has been engaged in developing FPGA application
solutions such as rapid control prototyping and on-board motor simulation. Sebastien also contributed
to a number of technical presentations.

François Berthelot – Business Unit Manager – Eastern North America
François Berthelot received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from the École Polytechnique de
Montréal, Canada in 2008. He received his post-graduate diploma in electrical engineering from the
École de technologie supérieure (ETS) de Montréal, Canada in 2013. His final project was related to
FPGA motor model integration with controller in the loop. He joined OPAL-RT in 2008 and has been
involved in worldwide technical support, R&D and sales activities for the last 10 years with the
company.